Folding table



Sept. 4, 1928. I

H. L. HASKELL FOLDING TABLE Original Filed Sept. is, 192;;

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 4, 1-928. 1,682,754

4H. L. HASKELL FOLDING TABLE Original Filed Sept. 3 8. 1923 IS'Shpets-Sbet 2 E- m Quorum;

Henry L fias/f/l Sept. 4, 1928.

H. L. HASKELL FOLDING TABLE :5 Slgets-Sheet Original Filed Sept. 18, 1923 Patented Sept. 4, 1928.-

umreo JSTAQTES PATENT! HENRY L. EASKELL, or LnnInGron, MICHIGAN, .nssrenon .PANY, OF LUnINe'ron, MICHIGAN.

r rns cannon colu- FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed September 18, 1923,

serial No 63346. Rencwved'J'une 9,1928.

This invention relates to improvements similar numerals of reference indicatelshni in folding tables.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved folding table suitable to be used asa banquet table or a table of considerable size which collapses compactly, and when erected is verystrong and rigid.

A further object is to providean: improved table having these i advantages which is very easily manipulated to-erect orcollapse the same and in which the parts are simple and economical in structure and assembling.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my improved table will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplishthe objects of my invention by the devices and means describedinthe followingspecification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which i is a a preferred. embodiment-of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing forming; a

part of this applicatiomun which:

Fig. I is a sideelevationxof my improved table in erected position.

Fig. II is an invertedplanviewo'f the table collapsed.

3 Fig. III is a detail seotion one line corresponding toline of'Fiigs. IandIV.

F ig. IV is a detail section on a line corresponding to :line of'Figr-v. y

Fig. V is a fragmentary inverted plan viewof one of the: braces. s

Fig. VIis adetailriperspeotive; partially in section on aline corresponding; to line;6 -6 of Fig. I. y o y Fig. VIII is an invertedviewofa modified form of invention in which any improve ments are adapted to or embodiedin a round table.

Fig. VIII is a fragmentaryelevationof one of the brace keepers employed in the embodiment oi Fig. VII.

Fig. IX is a perspective view of a modified form of table in which the top is made up of sections.

Fig. X is an inverted perspective View of another modification in whichthe top is made up of sections, the two sections being indicated by full lines, the third intermediate section being shown by dotted lines.

In the drawing'fthe sectional views are taken looking in the direction oi the little arrows at the ends ofthe section lines and top.

Braces Tare pivoted to the outer lariparts throughout the several views.

Iteferringto' the drawing, the table top 1 is of suitable dimensions and in the embodiment showniin Figs. Ito VI inclusive is rectangular beine" designedfor a banquet table, the intention being that as manyof the tables maybe placed end to: end as desired.

The top is provided with end cleats 2 hav- 111g projections 3 thereon ofsuch width that when the table is collapsed they may be stacked one upon another, these parts 3 serving as supports. The legs 4 are arranged in pairs, being pivoted to theU-shaped hinge members 5 on the undersideof the Each pair *of legs isprovidedwitha base cross memberfi which is of suflicient length to: form a relatively wide basefor thetable. U shaped hinge members 5, these braces being of; such length as to coact with the cross members 6 there by bracing the less from their lower ends and providing a very rigid structure when erected. a

Thebraces are slidably engaged with the keepers 9 whichare mounted on the cross members Siofthe legs to project upwardly therefrom and are provided with holes 10 to receive the braces the keepers being in- Wardly ofiset as shown in F igzIH permitting the folding of the legsupon the braces. The braces are longitud'inally slotted at their ends providing spring members 11. The tapered blade-like CZLtCh HIBmbBIS 12 are mounted on these spring memberswith their outer edges projecting therelron and notched at 13 to engage with the keepers so that the legs are automatically locked in created position. The catches automatically engage when the legs arecswung' toerected position and maybe quickly released by" pressing the spring members together.

The keepers 9 are dormed as sheet metal stampings and have prongs 2d at their lower edges which are driven or pressed into the base members 6. *The parts struck out to form the opening 10 areconformed to engage over the upper edges ofthe base members 6 "providing attaching members having attaching prongs 26 on their edges (see Fig. IV). This forms a means otattaching the keepers which is not likelyto work loose in use as might be the case with screws, belts or rivets andan attaching meanswhich does' i "so when the spring members 11 disengaged.

not weaken the base members as would result from forming holes therein.

To facilitate the disengagement of the catch members from the keepers, the keepers are provided with central stops 27 so that of the legs are rasped, as between the thumb and fore- Finger, each spring member will swing against the etc and the parts are completely 7 l here the stops are not present, the o erator must exercise some care not to exert t e pressureso ber still remains in engagement with the keeper.

As a convenient and very effective means of attaching thebraces and the legs to the table top, I provide hinge members 28 formed of sheet metal which are folded around the legs and braces and terminate at their edges in inturned brads 29. the edges 30 being notched to ,interlap, as shown in Fig. VI, so that thebrads are brought out of alignment. These hinge members28 have pivot ear extensions 31 projecting between the U- shaped hinge members 5 and secured thereto by the pivots 32. This provides a very effective means for securing the hinge members to the legs and connecting the-same to the top the parts being sim 1e and economical and at the same time tie strain on the connected parts is minimized.

The parts are economical to produce and easily assembled, and, when assembled, result in a ver rigid structure.

In the em odiment shown inFig. VII, I

. show my improvements adapted to a round table top 14 having a peripheral rim 15. The legs are pivoted to the under side of the top as in the embodiment previously de' scribed with the exception that they are pivoted so thatthey overlap when collapsed instead of lying with their bases 6 adjacent.

The braces 7 are hinged to the top and collapsed under the legs, the braces being the same-as previously described. However, to permit the folding of the legs one upon an other I substitute a" keeper 16 for one of the keepers 9, the keeper 16 having an opening 17 at its inner end adaptedto permit the catches being introduced laterally or through this opening. The brace does not have sliding engagement with this keeper but is engaged therewith by pressing downwardly on the brace after the leg has been swung to erected position. This permits of the folding of the legs one upon the other.

In the modification shown in Fig. IX, the top is elliptical, being made up of two sections 18. The legs and braces are the sanip as in the structure shown, in Figs. I to a I In the modification shown in Fig. X, the top is made up of a pair of sections 19, an

intermediate section 20 being provided. which may be used or omitted as occasion that one catch mem-' may require, the sectionsbeing connected by the coupling members 21 adapted to be engaged with the studs 22 on the adjoining sections. These le s and braces are the same as have been described.

By forming the table top of sections, as shown in Figs. IX and X, the sections may be assembled to produce a table of the desired form; a

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to cmbody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: l a

1. In a folding table, the combination with a top having cross cleats secured on its under side at the ends thereof, legs pivotally mounted on the under side of said top in coacting pairs to fold within the plane of the lower edges of said cleats and provided with base members, said legs being mounted so that their said base members he with their bottoms. adjacent when the legs are collapsed, braces pivotally mounted on the under side of said table, keepers mounted on said base members to project inwardly from the upper edges thereof and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces, said keepersbeing provided with stops disposed centrally of said openings thereof, the outer ends of the braces being longitudinally slot-- ted providing spring members, and tapered catch members mounted on said spring members and notched to engage said keepers under tension of said spring members when the legs are in erected position.

2. In a folding table, the combination with atop having cross cleats secured on its under side at the ends thereof, legs pivotally mounted on the under side of said top in coacting pairs to fold within the plane of the lower edges of saidcleats and provided with base members, said legs being mounted so that their said base members lie with their bottoms adjacent when the legs are collapsed, braces pivotally mounted on the under side of said top, and keepers mounted on said base members to project inwardly from the upper edges thereof and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces. said keepers being inwardly offset relative to said base members to permit the folding of the legs upon the braces, said braces being provided with catch members adapted to engage said keepers when the legs are in erected position.

. 3. Ina folding table, the combination with a top, legs pivotally mounted on said top in coacting pairs and provided with cross members, braces pivoted on the under side of said top, and keepers mounted on said cross memhere to project inwardly from the upper edges thereof and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces, said keepers being inwardly offset to permit the folding of the legs upon the braces, said braces be ing provided with catch members adapted to engage said keepers when the legs are in erected position.

4. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member and provided withcross members, braces pivotally mounted on said top member, keepers mounted on said leg cross members and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces, the outer ends of the braces being longitudinally slotted providing spring members, and tapered catch members mounted on said spring mem bers and notched to engage said keepers under tension of said spring members when the legs are in erected position, said keepers being provided with stops limiting the disengaging movement of said spring members.

5. In a folding table, the combination with atop member, legs pivotally mounted on said top memberand provided with cross members, braces pivotallymounted on said top member, keepers mounted on said leg cross members and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces, the outer ends of the braces being longitudinally slotted providing spring members, and tapered catch members mounted on said spring members and notched to engage said keepers under tension of said spring the legs are in erected position.

6. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member and provided with keepcrs, braces pivotally mounted on said top member and slidably engaged with said keepers. the outer ends of said braces being longitudinally slotted providing spring members, and catch members mounted on said spring members and notched to engage said keepers under the tension of said spring members when the legs are in erected position.

7. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member in coacting pairs, base members mounted on said pairs of legs, races pivotally mounted on said top member, the outer ends of said braces being longitudinally slotted providing spring mem bers, and keepers mounted on said bases, paid spring members being provided with notched catches adapted to engage with said l-Teepers when the legs are in erected position.

8. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member, braces pivotally mounted on said top member, the outer-ends of said braces being longitudinally slotted promembers when riding pring members, and keepers on said legs, said spring members being provided with catches adapted to engage said keepers when the legs are in erected position.

9. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member to collapse thereon, bracespivotally mounted on said top member, keepers mounted on said legs and having openings therein to slidably receive said braces, the outer ends of said braces being longitudinally slotted providing spring members, catch members mounted on said spring members to engage said keepers under tension of said spring members when the legs are in erected position, and stops disposed on said keepers to project into said slots for limiting the inward lateral movement of said spring member facilitating the disengagement of the catches.

10. In a folding table, the combination with a top member,'legs pivotally mounted on sandy top member to collapse thereon, braces pivotally mounted on said top member, keepers mounted on said legs to receive said braces, the outer ends of said braces being longitudinally lotted providing spring members, catch members mounted on said spring members to engage said keepers under tensionof said spring members when the legs are in erected position, and stops disposedon said keepers to project into said slots for limiting the inward lateral move ment of said spring members facilitating the disengagement of the catches.

11. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, legs pivotally mounted on said top member braces pivotally mounted on said top mem: ber, keepers mounted on said legs, said braces being provided with spring catch members engaging saidkeepers under tension of said spring members when the legs are in erected position, andstops disposed on said keepers to limit the lateral movement of said spring members facilitating the disengaging of the catches. i

12. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, pairs of legs pivotally mounted on said top member to collapse upon the underside thereof, cross members at the lower ends of said legs, braces pivotally mounted on said top member to collapse between the .pairs of legs against the underside of the top member, andkeepers mounted on said cross members to coact with said braces, said braces having sliding engagement with said keepers and being provided with catch members adapted to automatically engage said keepers when the legs are in erected position. i

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY L. HASKELL.

to collapse thereon, 

